What a blessing it is to have a day set aside to give thanks. Our Puritan ancestors set aside several days during the year for fasting and feasting, for asking God’s help and thanking God for blessings. Today, our nation has kept just one national day of thanks, making it all the more important.
I hope you’re gathering with loved ones this week. If you don't have other plans, you are warmly invited to a potluck Thanksgiving here at First Unitarian Church at noon tomorrow. Bring a dish to share and enjoy Thanksgiving with the church community.
Whenever and however you gather, I hope you will take some time to give thanks together: thanks for the food, thanks for the community, and a humble hope that we may use our blessings to bless the world.
You may have a ritual of gratitude, or words you always say. I offer you this grace for your table if you would like to use it. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Spirit of Love, Source of All Life, Gracious God,
We give thanks for this food which will nourish our bodies. We accept these fruits of the good earth, and give thanks for the labor of human hands which brought this food to our table. We give thanks for the interdependent web of all existence; help us live lightly on the earth, that it may sustain us for generations to come.
We give thanks for the friends and family gathered around this table. Help us remember every kind word and forget every unintended hurt. Strengthen us in our love for one another. Give us grace, understanding, and a readiness to reach out whenever hearts are heavy or burdens too much to bear alone.
In a world of plenty, we pray for everyone who does not have enough. We pray for equity, that all may have good food and enough to eat. We pray for love and connection, that everyone may know sustaining and uplifting friendships. We ask for courage to create peace and justice on earth.
Today we are thankful for: (go around the table and invite everyone to name something they’re thankful for)
We eat this food in hope for a better world, and we pray that one day everyone may sit down to tables of plenty and fellowships of peace.
Amen.
In faith,
Rev. Sarah Stewart
